Monthly Archives: March 2016

What can millions of dollars do for a ski area? A lot, especially if it’s put into the snowmaking system.

When Vail Resorts purchased Afton Alps a few years ago, it quickly put in $10 million in improvements, much of it for the snowmaking system. And if the quality and coverage of the snow yesterday was any indication, the money was well spent.

Consider that the Twin Cities has had a very bad winter for natural snowfall. Warm temperatures. Rain. Few days with a major snowfall.

Yet yesterday afternoon, when the temperatures were in the mid-to-upper 60s, saw some fine corn snow all around, with few brown spots in the snow, and only a few more spots of darker, “grippy” snow. Oh, and almost the entire area was open for skiing and riding, even most trails in the Highlands area.

Belinda’s Bowl at Afton Alps: A fine day for corn snow

Yes, it was a bit odd to see the greens and tee boxes from the golf course here and there. But the snow that was on the trails was still rideable. While there was some standing water near the Alps lodge, the snow on the top of the lifts was merely slushy, not “puddly,” which is to say, not standing water. The lifties working the exit ramps were busy moving around snow to give customers a smooth ride off, which perhaps also prevented puddles from forming.

A golf course green (or teebox) visible while riding chair #14

There were lots of events during the day, including a pond skim. Surprisingly, three-quarters of the first 30 attempts across the pond were successfull. Of the snowboards, 10 out of 16 made it, while 12 out of 14 skiers made it.

Compared to some other ski areas I’ve visited in late season, Afton Alps didn’t have a tired feel at all. Unfortunately, though, the season around here was just too short and bereft of natural snow. Maybe next year.

The 2015-16 winter has been a disappointing one in many ways, but there’s always next year. Ski areas around the Twin Cities are now selling season passes for next winter, and as always, you’ll save money if you buy earlier rather than later.

Buck Hill is selling unrestricted adult passes for $390. Prices go up on May 1. Seniors (62 and over) and children (under 13) save, with rates of $225 and $290. Family passes are $1,190, good for up to four people. Buy now and use the pass for what is left of this season.

Wild Mountain has a variety of options depending on age and when you plan to use the pass. The lowest-price adult pass is the adult seven-day-a-week pass (age 13 and up) for $240. The least expensive adult pass is the college pass ($109), good every day of the week. Its family plan is the “build you own” variety, as there is no single price. Instead, you add a specified charge for each person. A four-person pass comes out to $685. If you have a large family, take heart: Adding more people after that costs only $25 per person. There are also passes for weekdays only and for weekends only.

Trollhaugen‘s unrestricted season pass for adults is $235, if purchased by April 4. If you wait until the snow is flying in the fall, you’ll have to pay $425, so buying early can save you a lot of money. There are also passes for college students and older adults. Children under 5 ski or ride without charge. Family passes (two adults, unlimited number of children) are on sale for $645. In the fall, the price will be $1,029.

Older adults pay $99 for a pass at Hyland Hills Ski Area, while the standard adult pass is $349. There is no family pass. Two children’s passes are two adult passes would add up to $1,196.

At Welch Village, an adult pass is currently selling for $279, and less if you already have a pass. A pass for children ages 5-12 is now going for $259, as are passes for adults 62 and older. A family pass is currently selling for $839.

Afton Alps has not yet announced its plans for next winter’s season pass.

UPDATE: March 8, 2 p.m.

Afton Alps has announced its pricing for next season. There are a variety of passes that let customers ski/ride both at Afton and at other Vail Resort properties. For a strictly-local Afton pass, the price for an adult is $429. The senior rate is $289 and the college rate is $269. Passes for children are $309, but they also include skiing or riding at Vail’s western resorts as well — though again, only for children.

Sunday was a great day to be at Buck Hill for some spring skiing and snowboarding. The sun was shining, the snow was soft (but not too much so), and the crowds were minimal.

First of all, forget about bulky warm clothes when the temperature approaches 60 in the mid-afternoon. Ever think of skiing in shorts? Now’s your chance, though you may wish to wear some waterproof pants in case someone leaves some snow on the lift chairs.

In most places, the snow was holding up well.

But in some places, you could tell that spring had arrived. But even this puddle at the top of the quad chair was not insurmountable.

The best snow may have been on Redtail Ridge, a small, thin slope to the north (and slightly below) of the main slope. In the mid-afternoon, it was largely sheltered from the sun by the adjacent slope.

Sunday, though, was not a bluebird day. The overcast skies did not let the main slope (Milk Run and Crossroads) soften up. Consequently, it was a soft version of boilerplate, a bit like pea gravel. But again, Redtail Ridge and some other areas, including Teacher’s Pet, had better snow.

Surprisingly, snow tubing was still going on; the staff say they hope to keep it running through next weekend, but of course at this time of year, the weather could intervene and change those plans.

Food offerings at ski areas, especially in the Twin Cities, tend to be the same. You’ll see a lot of hamburgers and other sandwiches, plus the occasional dish of chili. Buck Hill has introduced something new this season: The waffle bar.

It’s in the back side of the chalet, which has been something of a forgotten zone. The new tables, repurposed cable spools, provide visual change of pace from the low cafeteria-style tables that dominate the chalet, and the colored plastic chairs add some visual interest.

You can get a plain waffle (“Buck Naked”), one with apples (“Teacher’s Pet,” a nod to one of the slopes on the hill), and other options. There are also a number of toppings (extra fees apply) such as berries.

The service came online during the season, so if your visit to Buck was early on, you may have missed out. So put this on your list of things to try out on your next visit.